📆 BETHELEHEM AREA EVENTS

🌡️BETHELEHEM AREA WEATHER

🏗️🚢 WHAT’S IN IT FOR BETHLEHEM? Five Ways the Port Expansion Could Benefit Town Taxpayers 💰🏡

🎒🍎 BACK TO SCHOOL, BETHLEHEM AREA! HERE’S WHEN STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO CLASS 📚✏️

🌕🌑 LOOK UP TONIGHT, BETHLEHEM! A NEAR-TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE IS COMING! 🔭✨

🚧⚠️ HEADS UP, BETHLEHEM! NO PARKING ON AREAS OF WINNE ROAD FRIDAY 🚗🛠️

🎬🍿 FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT COMING TO GLENMONT! 🌟🚗

🎉🎶 THURSDAY IS THE NEW FRIDAY! 6 EVENTS KICK OFF THE WEEKEND AROUND BETHLEHEM & RCS 🌽🎤🧠

🧩☕ THURSDAY MORNING MATH PUZZLER SOLVED! ☕🧩

Introducing the Bethlehem Area Live Community Calendar

August 27th Thursday

August 28th Friday

August 29th Saturday

August 30th Sunday

August 31st Monday

More Events at: https://BethlehemAreaLive.com

BETHLEHEM, NY — With major investments continuing at the Port of Albany-Rensselaer and approximately 85 acres of Port property at Beacon Island in the Town of Bethlehem positioned for future development, there’s an important question local residents & businesses have every right to ask:

👉 What’s in it for Bethlehem?

The answer could ultimately involve property taxes, jobs, local businesses, infrastructure investment and the long-term balance of Bethlehem’s tax base.

The key word, however, is could. Much depends on what ultimately gets built at Beacon Island, who owns the improvements and what tax or development agreements accompany future projects.

Here are 5 potential benefits Bethlehem residents should be watching. 👇

This could be the biggest potential benefit for Bethlehem residents & businesses.

Because the Albany Port District Commission is a public entity, Port-owned land and buildings can be tax-exempt. However, Bethlehem planning documents examining the Beacon Island expansion specifically noted that privately owned buildings constructed on Port property could be fully taxable.

That's an important distinction.

As an illustration, an earlier Town analysis showed that a hypothetical privately owned 100,000-square-foot warehouse assessed at $5 million could have generated approximately $141,000 annually in combined Town/County and school property taxes under the tax rates used at that time. That is an old example—not a projection of what Beacon Island will generate today—but it demonstrates why ownership of future development matters.

For homeowners, expanding the commercial and industrial tax base can help spread the cost of government and schools across more taxable property.

That doesn't guarantee anyone's property-tax bill will decrease. But additional taxable development can reduce the degree to which future spending increases must be supported by existing taxpayers.

And that's especially relevant in Bethlehem: according to the Town's 2026 State of the Town address, approximately 67 cents of every local property-tax dollar goes to the applicable school district, while only about 12 cents goes directly to the Town.

The Port is already a significant regional employer.

Its current economic-impact figures estimate approximately 1,400 local jobs, more than 4,500 jobs statewide, and over $80 million in wages and benefits paid by Port tenants.

Successful development of the Bethlehem property could potentially bring additional construction, manufacturing, logistics, maritime, technical and support jobs to the area.

There's another important tax-base consideration.

Unlike a large residential subdivision, a major industrial or manufacturing development doesn't directly bring hundreds of new households and school-age children along with it.

That means the right kind of commercial development could potentially add taxable value and employment without creating the same demand for school enrollment associated with substantial residential growth.

For a community continually balancing growth with the cost of providing services, that's worth watching.

The economic impact doesn't necessarily stop at the Beacon Island property line.

Workers and businesses associated with a larger Port operation may purchase food, fuel, supplies, lodging, construction services, professional services and other goods throughout the area.

That creates the potential for some of those dollars to circulate through Glenmont, Selkirk, Delmar and the surrounding Bethlehem business community.

The Port currently hosts businesses involved in logistics, construction, food production, maritime transportation, warehousing, rail transportation, power generation and other industries.

The more economic activity that occurs at the Bethlehem site, the greater the opportunity for existing local businesses to become suppliers, contractors and service providers.

Beacon Island isn't simply an empty piece of industrial property.

New York's FAST NY program awarded approximately $18.79 million for infrastructure work at the site, including a high-voltage electrical substation, wastewater treatment plant and pump station.

The property also has a particularly valuable feature planned:

⚓ A 500-foot heavy-capacity wharf capable of supporting exceptionally heavy industrial cargo.

The approximately 85-acre site is zoned heavy industrial and offers access to Route 144, nearby interstate highways and the Hudson River. Port documents describe the proposed 500-foot wharf as fully permitted and designed for loads of up to 6,000 pounds per square foot.

That combination could make the site attractive to manufacturers and industries that simply couldn't locate on a conventional commercial property.

Instead of Bethlehem residents & businesses having pay to create an industrial site from scratch, substantial outside investment is helping establish infrastructure capable of supporting future economic development.

This may be the biggest long-term opportunity.

The Port reports an estimated economic impact of more than $428 million regionally and $813 million statewide.

And Bethlehem is now physically part of that operation.

The Port encompasses approximately 430 acres across Albany, Rensselaer, Bethlehem and East Greenbush, with direct connections to maritime commerce and proximity to major highway and rail networks.

Beacon Island gives Bethlehem something relatively unusual in the Capital Region: a large heavy-industrial development site with direct access to the Hudson River and a future heavy-lift wharf.

That could help attract businesses that otherwise might locate elsewhere in New York—or outside the state altogether.

Economic development isn't automatically good development.

Residents & Businesses should also be watching potential impacts involving:

🚛 Truck traffic
🌳 Environmental protection
🚒 Emergency services
💧 Water and sewer infrastructure
🛣️ Roads and other municipal services
💰 Tax exemptions or PILOT agreements
🏭 The type of industries ultimately selected for the property

And perhaps most importantly:

How much new revenue will actually flow to Bethlehem town government and local school districts after the costs associated with the development are considered?

That's where the real community benefit will ultimately be measured.

As development plans for Beacon Island become clearer, Bethlehem Local News believes three numbers will tell residents a great deal about whether the expansion is delivering for the community:

1️⃣ How many permanent local jobs will be created?

2️⃣ How much new taxable assessed value—or PILOT revenue—will the development generate for Bethlehem and the applicable school district?

3️⃣ What will the development cost Bethlehem in additional municipal services and infrastructure?

If revenues, jobs and economic activity substantially outweigh those costs, the Port's expansion into Bethlehem could become an important piece of the Town's long-term economic future.

For Bethlehem residents & businesses, the Port expansion isn't just a story about ships, warehouses and industrial development along the Hudson River.

It's potentially a tax-base story.

If Beacon Island attracts significant privately owned taxable development, generates good-paying jobs and brings additional investment into the community without requiring comparable increases in taxpayer-funded services, the benefits could reach well beyond the waterfront.

And that's why what happens next at Beacon Island deserves the attention of every Bethlehem resident & business.

💬 What do YOU think? Would you support additional development at the Port's Bethlehem property if it brought new jobs and substantially increased the Town's commercial tax base?

👇 Let us know in the comments.

#BethlehemLocalNews #BethlehemNY #GlenmontNY #SelkirkNY #DelmarNY #PortOfAlbany #BeaconIsland #EconomicDevelopment #PropertyTaxes #BethlehemTaxpayers #CapitalRegionNY #LocalJobs #HudsonRiver #CommunityNews

Summer vacation is quickly winding down, and families across Bethlehem, RCS and Voorheesville are getting ready for another school year! 🚌🏫

The 2026–2027 school year is right around the corner, but not every local district — or even every school within a district — starts on the same day.

Here are the important dates for our area families to put on the calendar: 👇

🎒 Bethlehem Central School District
📅 Tuesday, September 8

🟠⚫ Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District
📅 Wednesday, September 9

🐦 Voorheesville Central School District
📅 Tuesday, September 8 — Middle & High School students
📅 Wednesday, September 9 — Elementary School students

⚠️ VOORHEESVILLE FAMILIES: The elementary school is beginning one day later this year as construction work continues at Voorheesville Elementary School.

For families, employees and educators who travel throughout the surrounding area:

🏫 Guilderland — September 8
🏫 Berne-Knox-Westerlo — September 9
🏫 South Colonie — September 9
🏫 North Colonie — September 10
🏫 Coxsackie-Athens — September 8
🏫 Greenville — September 10

The return of school doesn't only affect families with children.

Beginning next week, expect school buses back on the roads, heavier morning traffic, students walking and biking to school, and activity around bus stops and school zones.

Give yourself a few extra minutes for that morning commute — and please remember to slow down, stay alert and NEVER pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. 🛑🚌

After a long summer, thousands of local students, teachers, administrators, bus drivers and school employees are getting ready for a fresh start.

🍎📚 Here's wishing everyone across Bethlehem, RCS and Voorheesville a safe, successful and GREAT 2026–2027 school year!

Parents — are YOU ready for the first day of school... or are the kids more ready than you are? 😂🎒👇

More Info: News10

#BethlehemLocalNews #BackToSchool #BethlehemNY #DelmarNY #GlenmontNY #SlingerlandsNY #SelkirkNY #RCS #RavenaNY #CoeymansNY #VoorheesvilleNY #NewScotlandNY #BCSD #RCSD #VoorheesvilleSchools #SchoolYear2026 #CommunityNews

BETHLEHEM AREA — If the skies cooperate, Capital Region residents have a pretty spectacular celestial show coming TONIGHT, Thursday, August 27, into early Friday morning! 🌙

A deep partial lunar eclipse will occur as Earth moves between the Sun and Moon, casting Earth's shadow across the lunar surface.

And this one gets REALLY close to totality — about 96% of the Moon's surface will be inside Earth's dark shadow at maximum eclipse.

🌙 FOR BETHLEHEM & THE ALBANY AREA:

🔹 9:23 PM Thursday — Penumbral eclipse begins
🔹 10:34 PM — Partial eclipse begins
🔹 12:12 AM Friday — MAXIMUM ECLIPSE ⭐
🔹 1:52 AM — Partial eclipse ends
🔹 3:01 AM — Eclipse completely ends

At maximum, almost the entire Moon will be immersed in Earth's shadow, potentially producing some beautiful reddish or orange coloring. That color occurs because sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths while more red and orange light reaches the Moon.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch with your naked eyes. Find a spot with a clear view of the sky, turn off those backyard lights if possible, and enjoy the show.

📸 And Bethlehem Local News wants to see YOUR pictures!

If you capture a great shot of tonight's eclipse from Bethlehem, Delmar, Glenmont, Slingerlands, Selkirk, RCS, Voorheesville or anywhere around the Capital Region, drop it in the comments! 👇📷

Who plans on staying up until 12:12 AM to see the eclipse at its peak? 🙋‍♂️🌕🌑

#BethlehemLocalNews #LunarEclipse #BethlehemNY #BloodMoon #LookUpTonight #DelmarNY #GlenmontNY #SlingerlandsNY #SelkirkNY #VoorheesvilleNY #RCS #CapitalRegionNY #HudsonValley #NightSky #Astronomy #MoonWatch

Another sewer repair is scheduled in the Town of Bethlehem, and residents who live on or travel along Winne Road will want to know about this one.

The Town of Bethlehem Department of Public Works is scheduled to make repairs to the sanitary sewer collection system near 79 Winne Road on Friday, August 28.

🚧 WHAT TO KNOW:

📅 Friday, August 28
📍 Winne Road near #79
🚫 Please do not park on the street in the work area
🚜 Expect construction equipment and utility vehicles
🚶‍♀️🚗 Drivers and pedestrians should use extra caution while crews are working

The town is asking residents to help keep the roadway clear so DPW crews have the space needed to safely complete the necessary sewer repairs.

👉 If Winne Road is part of your Friday routine, give yourself a little extra time and keep an eye out for workers and equipment.

☎️ Residents with questions or concerns can contact the Town of Bethlehem Field Operations Division at 518-439-1955, ext. 1706.

📲 SHARE THIS HEADS-UP with neighbors and anyone who regularly travels Winne Road so they aren't caught by surprise Friday morning!

Source: Town of Bethlehem

Town of Bethlehem — Official Notice

#BethlehemLocalNews #BethlehemNY #WinneRoad #DelmarNY #BethlehemDPW #SewerRepair #RoadWork #TrafficAlert #NoParking #CommunityUpdate #AlbanyCounty #LocalNews #HeadsUpBethlehem 🚧⚠️

Looking for a fun way to squeeze in one more family night out before the new school year gets underway? We've got one happening right here in Bethlehem! 🎉

Assemblyman Scott Bendett is presenting a FREE Family Fun Movie Night at the Jericho Drive-In in Glenmont on Tuesday, September 1! 🎥🌙

Families can settle into the classic drive-in experience for a showing of “Coyote vs. ACME.” And the best part? Admission is FREE! 🙌

📅 Tuesday, September 1
📍 Jericho Drive-In
21 Jericho Road, Glenmont
🚪 Gates open: 7:00 PM
🎬 Movie begins: 8:00 PM
🎟️ FREE admission

⚠️ ARRIVE EARLY! Space is limited to approximately 400 vehicles and admission will be first come, first served based on available capacity.

🍔🥤 Food and refreshments will be available for purchase from the Jericho Drive-In. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

This could be a great opportunity for Bethlehem-area families to grab the kids, pile into the car and enjoy an old-fashioned night at the movies together — without the admission price! ❤️🎞️

And with the Jericho Drive-In right here in Glenmont, you don't have to travel far for a little end-of-summer family fun.

📲 TAG another local family who might want to join you, and SHARE this post so they don't miss it!

#BethlehemLocalNews #BethlehemNY #GlenmontNY #JerichoDriveIn #FamilyMovieNight #FreeFamilyFun #CommunityEvent #FamilyFun #DriveInMovie #DelmarNY #SlingerlandsNY #SelkirkNY #CapitalRegionNY #ThingsToDo #SupportLocal 🎬🍿🚗

Why wait until Friday to start the weekend? 😎

The Pre-Weekend Thursday Parade of Community Excitement is rolling through Bethlehem and RCS TODAY, August 27, with 6 local events ranging from an important Alzheimer's education program and farmers market to family entertainment, live music and TWO chances to test your trivia skills! 🙌

Here’s what’s happening from the BethlehemAreaLive.com Community Events Calendar: 👇

🧠 10 WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S
🕑 2:00–3:00 PM
📍 RCS Community Library — Main Street, Ravena
An informative afternoon program focused on recognizing the warning signs of Alzheimer's.

🌽🍅 COEYMANS RIVERFRONT FARMERS MARKET
🕟 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 Coeymans Riverfront Park — Ravena
Shop local while enjoying an afternoon along the beautiful Hudson River! 🥕🌽

👑✨ THURSDAYS IN THE PARK: CHARACTER FIRST FANTASY ENTERTAINMENT
🕕 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Elm Avenue Park — Delmar
The previously rescheduled July 2 event is back on the calendar — a fun Thursday evening outing for local families! 🎉

🎸🌅 VINYL ANALYSIS LIVE — EVENING ON THE GREEN
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Coeymans Riverfront Park — Ravena
Stick around after visiting the Farmers Market and enjoy LIVE MUSIC along the river! 🎶

🧠🍺 TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE WARBLER BREWERY
🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Delaware Avenue — Delmar
Grab your smartest friends and see who really knows their stuff! 🤔🏆

🧠🍻 TRIVIA AT RAIL TO RIVER BREWING
🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Main Street — Ravena
RCS gets its own Thursday night trivia showdown! 💡🏆

You could hit the Farmers Market AND live music in Coeymans, take the kids to Elm Avenue Park, learn something important at the RCS Community Library, or round up your team for Trivia Night.

That's 6 reasons not to sit home waiting for Friday! 😎🙌

📲 TAG your Thursday crew and SHARE this roundup!

And remember — these are just some of the community happenings you'll find on the BethlehemAreaLive.com Events Calendar, covering Bethlehem, RCS, Voorheesville and beyond.

#BethlehemLocalNews #BethlehemAreaLive #BethlehemNY #DelmarNY #RCS #RavenaNY #CoeymansNY #ThursdayEvents #ThingsToDo #CommunityEvents #LiveMusic #FarmersMarket #TriviaNight #ElmAvenuePark #SupportLocal #CapitalRegionNY 🎉🎶🌽🍻

Today’s problem is:

8 + 8 × 8 ÷ 4 = ?

The key is remembering PEMDAS / Order of Operations. Multiplication and division come before addition, and when multiplication and division appear together, work from left to right.

Step 1: Start with multiplication.

8 × 8 = 64

Now we have:

8 + 64 ÷ 4

Step 2: Do the division.

64 ÷ 4 = 16

Now we have:

8 + 16

Step 3: Add.

8 + 16 = 24 🎯

💡 Teaching Tip: PEMDAS doesn't mean multiplication always comes before division. They have equal priority, so you solve whichever appears first from left to right. The same rule applies to addition and subtraction.

Did you get 24 on your first try? 😎

👍 = YES!
😮 = I got something different!

📲 Want the answer and step-by-step solution to our daily Morning Math Puzzler? Subscribe FREE to the Bethlehem Local News Insider and get it delivered right to your inbox!

#ThursdayMorningMathPuzzler #BethlehemLocalNews #MathPuzzler #MathChallenge #PEMDAS #OrderOfOperations #BrainTeaser #MathQuiz #ThursdayChallenge #BethlehemNY 🧠➕💯

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